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Old-Salt

they are pretty well protected here. I remember being told to take annual leave when I was in the TA, which was a real prick as I only got 4 weeks a year. They would not let me take unpaid leave. Over here I must be released and cannot be made to take annual leave. If there is a unit piss up that I want to go to or anything associated with the Army my platoon sergeant just has to give me a training notice and my employer has to let me go, or he is liable for a prison term or a fine of up to $200,000. It is a federal offence to go against a training notice. This pretty much stems from the countries heavy reliance on reservists as they have such a small army. Overseas deployments to Timor and places like that come up pretty much monthly- again employer has no choice but to let you go and hold your job ope.

Swinger

Sounds good pommydigger, however, does it affect getting a job in the first place, i.e. do you have to let your prospective employer know that you are in the reserve, and will he still give you a job when he is told?

One of the worries of many TA soldiers over here is that is stronger legislation came in then you may become unemployable, or at least a lot less attractive to a prospective employer.

War Hero

Sounds good pommydigger, however, does it affect getting a job in the first place, i.e. do you have to let your prospective employer know that you are in the reserve, and will he still give you a job when he is told?

One of the worries of many TA soldiers over here is that is stronger legislation came in then you may become unemployable, or at least a lot less attractive to a prospective employer.

Old-Salt

Im confident that if Britain adopted the positon of the Austrailian government retention would be a lot better in the TA. In my experience the main reason for people leaving is due to lack of support by employers. I think its about time the labour government started supporting the TA and its soldiers.

LE

That's the point. There is no culture here of pride in the Armed Forces, beyond a load of guff in the tabloids when it suits them - and of course the reverse when that suits them as well.

The reason there is no legislation banning discrimination against workers being in the Reserves is simply because there is absolutely no call for it from anyone - bar a few reserves who, to be blunt, count for nothing to politicians. Reservists don't contribute to political parties - plcs and TUs do. We are a very, very, small 'interest group' and lets face it getting smaller all the time!

War Hero

That's the point. There is no culture here of pride in the Armed Forces, beyond a load of guff in the tabloids when it suits them - and of course the reverse when that suits them as well.

The reason there is no legislation banning discrimination against workers being in the Reserves is simply because there is absolutely no call for it from anyone - bar a few reserves who, to be blunt, count for nothing to politicians. Reservists don't contribute to political parties - plcs and TUs do. We are a very, very, small 'interest group' and lets face it getting smaller all the time!

There's a social pressure as well, a small buisness employer who screwed over an employee who's a Chocko Digger would be shunned in much the same way as in this country in the 1900's.

The Aussies have a small regular army (6 Infantry Bns and associated arms, struggling to keep 75% establishment), and a smaller reserve element (14 Infantry Bns and associated arms struggling to keep 35% strength). The reserve element is much more PT Regular than TA (for example, Recruit Training is identical), hence the problems with staying up to strength.

The difference between here and there can be summerised by the fact that one of their deployments alternates between a ARA Bn in the Summer (currently 3 CER), and a GRes Bn in the Winter, understrength as they are, an Australian Reservist can be activated and requires no additional training to reach regular standards.

This is probably what our government would like, but they need to give to get....

Old-Salt

The pride in the Army here is very strong. Anzac day is a big day here and is celebrated even by the youngsters. Even the footy games on that day have an Anzac theme, which was hard to get my head round at first. I have lost count of the amount of people who have seen my webbing or whatever in the back of the car and said good on ya, for being in the reserve.

Also with the employers discriminating against reservists, I think not only would they be prosecuted, but it would be massive news, very unAustralian, to be labelled this would probably be worse than being prosecuted

War Hero

The pride in the Army here is very strong. Anzac day is a big day here and is celebrated even by the youngsters. Even the footy games on that day have an Anzac theme, which was hard to get my head round at first. I have lost count of the amount of people who have seen my webbing or whatever in the back of the car and said good on ya, for being in the reserve.

Also with the employers discriminating against reservists, I think not only would they be prosecuted, but it would be massive news, very unAustralian, to be labelled this would probably be worse than being prosecuted